Shelf-bracket.



No. 892,542. PATENTED JULY 7, 1908. M. B. MOMASTBR.

SHELF BRACKET. APPLICATION rlL'nn MAY 12. 1900.

WITNESSES.-

. [/VVENTOR. 1/- u 1 I v A TTORNE Y5 MARION E. MCMASTER, OF MONROE CITY, MISSOURI.

SHELF-BRACKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 7, 1908.

Application filed May 12, 1906. Serial No. 316,571.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARION E. MoMAs TER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Monroe City, in the county of Monroe and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Shelf-Bracket, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shelf brackets and its object is to provide a device of this character which is of simple and inexpensive construction, which can be uickly produced from a sheet of metal wit practically no waste of the material and which becomes practicallyinvisible when in use.

A still further object is to provide a bracket which can be quickly fastened in position, the fastening means being so disposed as to be held in place by the shelf supported on the bracket.

Another object is to provide a bracket which will engage the shelf so as to prevent the same from slipping out of position and which will automatically adapt itself to a shelf should the same become warped.

Other objects are to provide a bracket which is of neat appearance and which is provided with supporting members braced in a novel manner.

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists of a back plate preferably angular in form and having an opening therein to receive a tack or other securing device upon Which the bracket is adapted to balance. Supporting members extend from one edge of the back plate and are dished to reinforce the same laterally and longitudinally and the ends of these members curve upward to form prongs adapted to bite into the shelf and prevent it from slipping upon the bracket. The back plate is preferably of less height than the thickness of the shelf to be supported so that when a shelf is mounted on the bracket the same will be invisible except where the supporting members extend under the lower face of the shelf.

The invention also consists of certain other novel features of construction and combinations 'of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In said drawings: Figure l is a perspective view showing the brackets in use; Fig. 2 is an enlar ed section through a portion of a shelf and one of its supporting brackets;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the brackets; Fig. 4 is a view of a blank and showing the manner of cutting the brackets therethrough; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the bracket.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 is a back plate preferably triangular in form and having an opening 2 therein adjacent its apex for the reception of a small nail or tack 3 adapted to be driven into the upstanding portion 4 of a case or other structure with which shelves are to be used. Extending from the lower edge of the back plate 1 are supporting members 5 the outer or side edges of which are preferably parallel while their adjoining or inner edges are disposed at an angle equal to that of the upper edges of the back plate 1. Each member 5 is dished or rendered concave-convex by striking downward the central portion thereof and therefore the member is strengthened laterally and longitudinally and is ca pable of supporting a considerable weight without danger of bending. The points 6 of the members 5 curve upward to produce prongs.

In using the brackets herein described the same are fastened at proper points upon the structure 4 by driving tacks, nails or screws through the openings 2 and into the structure 4, said brackets being preferably located so as to rest adjacent the corners of the shelf to be supported. The shelf 7 is then placed upon the members 5 and will extend above and conceal back plates 1 and will also prevent the fastening devices 3 from being accidentally withdrawn from the openings 2. The weight of the shelf and of any articles that may be placed thereon will cause the prongs 6 to bite thereinto and the shelf will therefore be prevented from sliding upon the brackets. As the brackets are balanced upon the securing devices 3 they will auto matically swing thereon to adapt themselves to the shelf should the same become warped. This manner of connecting the brackets also renders them useful in supporting shelves having curved or irregular lower faces.

By using a bracket such as herein described there are no parts to project toward the shelf so as to interfere with the proper placing or removal of articles upon or from the shelf. Moreover, by making the angle between the members 5 equal to that of the apex of the back plate the brackets can be cut from a strip of metal With practically no waste of material. WVhile the back plate is preferably triangular in form it may be made pentagonal With parallel sides as shown at 8. This construction is particularly designed for narrow brackets.

The preferred form of the invention has been set forth in the foregoing description but I do not limit myself thereto as I am aware that modifications may be made therein Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall Within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

A bracket formed in a single sheet of metal consisting of an apertured angular back plate, oppositely disposed similar triangular dished prongs extending substantially at right angles from the lower edge of the back plate, each prong having an upcurved end constituting a shelf engaging device.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

MARION E. MOMASTER. l/Vitnesses:

E. HUME TALBERT, HERBERT D. LAWSON. 

